Conveyer system



April 3, 1945. D. H. MITCHELL 2,372,789

CONVEYER SYSTEM Filed May 5, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNVENTOR D.H.MITCHELL A T TO/PNEV April 3, 1945.

D. H. MITCHELL CONVEYER SYSTEM Filed May 5, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2ATTORNEY P mw W m R a D V, B NN Q- N Patented Apr. 3, 1945 UNITEDSTATESPATENT OFFICE CONVEYER SYSTEM Donald H. Mitchell, Cranford, N. J.,assignor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application May 5, 1942, Serial No. 441,798

12 Claims.

associated conveyer, onto the one where the articles are held. suchmechanism must be sufficiently durable and readily actuable to performthese functions.

An object of the invention is to provide a conveyer system and moreparticularly a simple, efficient and highly practical article or carriercontrol means therefor.

With this and other objects in view, the invention comprises an articlecontrolling element disposed adjacent the juncture of two conveyers, theelement being operatively connected to a mechanism adapted to move itinto and'out of a stopping position over one conveyer to control thetravel of articles thereon, the mechanism being under the control ofmeans affected by articles travelling on the other conveyer to eliminatejamming of the articles at the juncture of the two conveyers.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdetailed description when considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein Fig, l. is a schematic top plan view of afragmentary portion of a conveyer system illustrating one embodiment ofthe invention;

Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram illustrating the electrical circuits of theelectrical control portion of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of a portion of thecontrol mechanism of this embodiment;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 3;

Fig.5 is a fragmentary detailed view taken substantially along the line55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a schematic top plan view of a fragmentary portion of aconveyer systemillustrating another embodiment of the invention; 1

Fig. 7 is a wiring, dia gram illustrating the electrical circuits of theelectrical control portion of the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, and

and I 8; beneath the'conveyer 10, the outer end of the Fig. 8 is anenlarged fragmentary top plan view of the deflecting mechanism of thesecond embodiment.

Referring now to the drawings, attention is firstdirected to Fig. 1,which illustrates conveyers H3 and ii, of one embodiment of theinvention, which may be of the endless belt type, travelling in thedirection of the arrows to convey articles or carriers l2 thereon inpaths, one of which converges with the other tangentially. The carriersV I2 travelling on the conveyer it, if not interrupted will continuepast the conveyer II and travel on to other conveyers of the system notshown. The conveyer H empties onto the conveyer Hi, that is the carriersI2 travelling on the conveyer I I will be transferred onto the conveyer10 at the juncture of these conveyers.

If no means were provided to control the traffic of the carriers onthese conveyers, eventually there would occur jamming of the carriers atthe junc ture of the conveyers. To eliminate this disturbance an articleor carrier controlling element M is positioned adjacent the juncture ofthe conveyers for stopping the carriers on the conveyer it! which areapproaching the conveyer H. The

only time when such an action is necessary is when a carrier on theconveyer H approaches the juncture of the conveyers at a time when itmight collidewith a carrier onthe conveyer I'll.

Therefore, a control means has been provided which will be renderedoperable by carriers on the conveyer I I approaching the exit endthereof; to cause operation of the element M to bring about movementthereof from the solid line posi tion shown in Fig. l to the dotted lineposition extending in the path of approaching carriers on the conveyerl0. Y For a better understanding of the specific structure of theelement 14 and its associated mechanism. attention is directed to Figs.3, 4 and 5.:

The element 14 is in the form of an arm mounted fixedly upon the upperend of a shaftifi, the latter being journalled in suitable bearings H Alever 19 is mounted on the shaft I6 lever being pivotallyconnected toone end of a link 20. The other end of the link 20 is connectedpivotally to a lever 2|; the latter being mounted upon the upper'end ofa shaft 22. An-

other lever 23 is also mounted upon the shaft 22, this lever extendingat right angles to the lever 2i and serving in cooperation with fixedstops 2 and 25 to limit the movement of the associated "mechanism.connected with the element M te thus limit the positions of the element,

as shown in Fig. 1, namely its normal position parallel with theconveyer, or its stopping position across the conveyer. A helicaltension Spring 25, assisted by a chain 21, provides a resilientconnection between a stationary bracket 28 and the outer end of thelever 23, to serve as a cushioning means for the lever in approachingeither of its stops 24 or 25.

Returning nOWLtOthB shaft 22, it will be noted that a gear 30 is mountedupon the lower end thereof, this gear interengaging a pinion 3| which isdriven by a torque motor 32. Briefly, energiZation of the motor 32 inone direction will cause driving of the mechanism to move the element |4into one position, a reversing of the motor causing movement of theelement into itsother position.

Attention is now directed to Figs. 1 and 2. In

the schematic illustration in Fig. 1, a lamp 35 adapted to beilluminated will, through the-association of a restricting lens35,project a beam of light 31in a path diagonally across the conveyersl0 and H at their juncture, to be received by another .lens 38 toeffectively control a light sensitive means 39, such as a photoelectriccell. It willbeapparent that a carrier [2 on the conveyer approachingthe conveyer it) will interrupt the beam .31 a suitable distance inadvance of theexitendof theconveyer II and will continue thisinterruption of the beam until after aresufiiciently close toone anotherthat asingle carrier may :actuate both of them, that is the same carriermay-actuate the switch after it has actuated the switch 40 and beforeitreleases the latter.

Referring now tothe wiring :cliagram, it will be'notedthat two'groups'ofsupply lines are-illustrated, one group including lines 43, 44 and 45and the-othergroup including linesz4fi and 41, the first-group in thepresent embodiment being electrically-connected to a 440-volt supply ofelectrical energy for 'themotor 32,"the other group being :electricallyconnected to a l10-volt supply of electrical energy. Considering themotor circuits first, it will be noted "that the conductorsfrom'themotor 32 are connected to contacts 50, 5| and'52 which arenormally closed,-as illustrated, -for electrical connection with lines43, 45 and-44 respectively. The contacts "50, 5|

and 52 are under the control ofarelay 53'which, when energized,will-pull up the contacts, opening the circuits in which they arenormally connected'and-closing circuits which will complete theirrespective connections with lines 43, 44 and 45. .Thus themotor'32during the normal positions of .the'contacts,'will ;be driven'in onedirection to urge the mechanism connecting it with the element l4,,to'position the element in the normal or solid line position shown inFig. 1. However, .when the beam 31 is interrupted and a carrier on theconveyer I0 is in the position, shown .in Fig. 1, to actuate the switch40, the

switch 4 relay 53 will be energized to actuate the contacts to reversethe motor 32.

Referring now to the other portion of the wiring diagram, the lamp 35 iselectrically connected to the supply lines through the closing of aswitch 55, the circuit being traced from line 46 at connection 56,through switch 55, lamp 35, to line 41 at connection 51. The circuit,through the light sensitive cell 39, may be traced from line 46 atconnection 58, through a relay 59, the cell 39, to line 41 at connection50. The relay =59 controls a contact 6| which is normally open tocomplete a circuit through the relay 53 when both switches 40 and 4| areclosed, this circuit being traced from line 46 at connection 58,

through connection .62, switches 40 and 4|, contact 6|, relay 53,-toline 4'! at connection 64.

Considering .now the operation of the conveyer system, attention isfirst directed to the illustration shown in Fig. 1. In this illustrationa.carrier 12 is travelling on the conveyer l0 and has moved -to aposition to close the normally open switch 40 and is about to open thenormally closed switch 4|. At the same time a carrier is travelling-onthe conveyer approaching the beam of light 37. With the presentillustration, if the carrier-on the conveyer I0 opens the switch 4|prior to the interruption of the beam 31 by the carrier on the conveyerH, the circuit including the relay 53 will be opened by theopening ofthe switch 4|, and as a result the element l4 will remain inthe solidline position. In other words, if .a .carrier on the conveyer I0 canvtravel far enough to actuate the switch 4|, it is in a safe' position.to continue its travel without interfering with the carrier on theconveyer II, the latter being spaced a sufiicient distance from thejuncture .of the two conveyors so that it will not interrupt the beamprior to :the opening of the Thus the carrier-0n the conveyer l0 willhave passed the conveyer before the carrier on that conveyer reaches theconveyer |0.

However, if -the=beam 31 is interrupted by the carrier on the conveyerprior to the opening 'of the switch 4| and after the closing of theswitch 40,'the circuit including the relay 53 will be -.closed throughthe energization of the relay 59 rendered effective by the interruptionof the beam-31, to complete the circuit through the relay 53,resulting'in the pulling up of the contacts 50,

' 5| and 52 and the reversing of the motor 32.

When the motor is reversed the mechanism, including the-driving of thepinion 3| the gear 30, the shaft 22, the lever 2|, the link 20, thelever l9 and the'shaft -|6, willbe-moved into the position shown inFigs. 3, 4 and 5 to move the element :l4 from the solid line positionshown in Fig. 1 to-the'dotted'line'position shown therein and the solidlinepositions shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. The motor 32 will remainenergized, the mechanism associated therewith being held against furthermovement by the'lever 23 engaging the stop 24. 'When in this positionattention is directed to the relativepositions of the centers connectingthe link 20 with its levers l9 and 2| and the shaft '22, which are in acommon plane, that is, these parts are on dead center.

When in this position the parts holding the element l4 in the path ofthe carriers on the conveyer l0 have'theholding force of a solidconnection for the element, and du to this dead center arrangement ofthe parts the element is capable of holding a large number of carriers,if necessary, against movement past the conveyer II, considering eventhe increased force of the continuously moving conveyer I on theincreased number of carriers and the additional impact of the addedcarriers with those being held by the element. The element remains inthis position while the carrier travelling on conveyer II hasinterrupted the beam 31 and until the beam is no longer interrupted.When this time arrives the effect of the beam of light 3! on the lightsensitive cell 39 will cause energization of the relay 59, to allow thecontact 6I to I open, thus opening the circuit including the relay 53.Thus the contacts 50, and 52 will move again into their normal positionsshown in Fig. 2,

to cause the motor to drive in a. direction. to return. the mechanismand the element I4 to their normal positions.

With the control through the positions of the carriers on the conveyers,it will be evident that the traflic on the conveyers will be completelyand automatically controlled to eliminate any possible jamming at thejuncture of the conveyers, the mechanical means linked with the elementI4 being of such a nature that the element may be readily actuated formovement into and out of article or carrier controlling position, yetwhen in this position it will hold any number of carriers travellingwith the conveyer until it is possible for them to continue their travelwithout interrupting the carriers approaching the conveyer I0 on theconveyer II.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 issubstantially identical to that of the first embodiment. In other words,the operating means including the motor 32, pinion 3I, shaft 22, lever2|, link 20, lever I9, shaft I6 and the lever 23 on the shaft 22, may beemployed for the embodiment illustrated in Figs, 6

andi8. The only difference in structure of the two embodiments lies inthe mounting of a defiector element II4 on the'shaft I6, which is givenreference numeral H6 in Figs. 6 and 8, in place of the element I4 andthe changing of the position of the stop 25 to limit the movement byactuating means in one direction to thus limit the normal position ofthe deflector arm or elemechanism functioning ment. Otherwise, themechanism for the two travel of articles or carriers on each conveyer bycausing them to move off the conveyer onto another conveyer.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, conveyers Ho and III areshown, the deflector element II4 being adapted to discontinue the travelof certain carriers H2 on the conveyer I I0 and cause them to travelonto the conveyer III. Th mechanism connecting the deflector element II4with the power means, such as the motor I32 (Fig. 7), includes a leverII9 connected to a shaft Hi, the outer end of the lever being pivotallyconnected to one end of a link I20. The other end of the link ispivotally connected to a lever I2I which is mounted upon a power shaftI22,

(III

the latter being driven by the motor I32 through means, such as pinionI3I and gear I30, in Fig. 6. An arm I23 mountedupon the shaft I22 ismovable through the power means betweenstops I24 and I25, the latterbeing disposed in one of a plurality of apertures I26 in a suitablesupport therefor. A spring I2'I is connected to the arm I23 to cushionits movement toward the stops I24 and I25.

Attention is now directed to control switches I40 and- MI. The switchI40 is supported in selected position over the conveyer IIO to beactuated by-pins I in certain of the carriers II2,

to render a control means shown in Fig, '7 effec-' .tive to causeactuation of the mechanism. The switch I4I functions to render thecontrol means ineffective, this switch being actuated by a carrier whichhas been deflected onto the conveyer III.

Attention is now directed to Fig. 7, which illustrates the electricalcontrol means including the normally open switch I40 and the normallyclosed switch I4I. Referring first to the motor I32, this motor is ofthe reversible torque type receiving its electrical energy from supplylines I40, I41 and I48 through contacts I50, I5I and I52. The contactsI50, I5I and I52 are illustrated in their normal positions, respectivelyforming electrical connections with the motor from lines.|46, I48 andI41 at connections I53, I54 and I55 respectively. When the contacts arein this position the motor I32 is driven in a direction to move thedeflector element II4, from an operative position across the conveyerIII] to its normal position as shown in Figs. 6 and 8. To move thedeflector in the opposite direction, that is to operate the deflectorelement to cause discontinuation of movement of acarrier on the conveyerH0 or to deflect it from the conveyer I I0 and onto the conveyer III,the contacts I50, I5I and I52, through 7 the energization of a relayI56, are moved to open the previously described circuits and to closethe circuits connecting the contacts I50, I5I and I52, respectively, tolines I45, I41 and I48 at connections I 53, I55 and I54, respectively.

When a. carrier, provided with a pin I 45 positioned to actuate theswitch I40, moves into a position to bring about this result, a circuitis completed from a supply line I atconnection I6I through the relay I55. switch I40, to another supply line IE2 at connection I53. Uponenergization of the relay I56, the contacts I50, I5I and I52 are movedfrom their first circuit arrangement to the second describedarrangement,

to reverse the motor I32. The relay I56 also closes a contact I54 tocomplete 'a'locking circuit through the relay which. may be traced fromline IE0 at connection I5I through the relay I56, connection I65,contact I64, normally closed switch I4I, to line IE2 at connection I53.Thus the relay I56 remains energized during the action of the deflectorelement toward the conveyer III and until the carrier affected by thedeflector element has travelled on the conveyer'I I I a sumcientdistance to actuate the switch I4I. When this occurs the locking circuitfor the relayis opened, thus deenergizing the relay and allowing thecontacts I50, I5I and i52 to resume their normal positions, causingreversal of the direction of the motor I32 to move the mechanism coupledwith the deflector element into the normal position controlled by thestop I25.

A review of the two embodiments will reveal their" similarity not orlyin mechanical features but also in the electrical control means. Ineach,

themotor'is driven normally in. one. direction to position theelement'associatedtherewith in' its normal position, the circuits forthe' motorbeing underthecontrol of contacts which are moved, through theenergization of the relay, in a circuit controlled by switches orsimilar means under the control of carriers on'the conveyers to actuatetheir respective elements tordiscontinue'fun ther travel of the carrierson their associated conveyers.

Although specific improvements of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be understood that they are but illustrative and thatvarious modifications may be made therein without departing from thescope and spirit of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a conveyer system comprising a first conveyer, a second conveyerextending in a direction transverse to the first conveyer, the conveyersbeing' adapted to transport articles in given paths one converging withthe other, an element supported adjacent one of the conveyers andactuable to stop movement of articles thereon, a unit for'the firstconveyer caused to function by an article approaching the juncture ofthe paths, a pair of units for the second conveyer spaced varieddistances from the juncture of the path and caused to function atdifferent time intervals by an article approaching the said juncture ofthe paths, and means rendered effective by the functioning of only oneof'the units for the secondconveyer'and the functioning of the unit forthe first conveyer to actuate the element.

2. In a conveyer system comprising a first conveyer, a second conveyerextending in a direction transverse to the first conveyer, the conveyersbeing adapted to transport articles in given paths one converging withthe other, an element supported adjacent one of the conveyers andactuable to stop movement of articles thereon, a unit for the firstconveyer caused to function by an article approaching the juncture ofthe paths, a pair of units for the second conveyer spaced varieddistances from the juncture of the path and caused to function atdifferent time intervals by an article approaching the said juncture ofthe paths, and means rendered efiective by the functioning of the unitfor the first conveyer when the unit for the second conveyer spacedfarthest-from the juncture of the paths is functioning to actuate theelement, the functioning of .the remaining unit prior to the functioningof the unit for the first conveyer rendering the said means ineffectiveto actuate the element.

3. In a conveyer system comprising a first conveyer, a second conveyerextending in a direction transverse to the first conveyer, the conveyorsbeing adapted to transport articles in given paths one converging withthe other, an element supported adjacent one of the conveyers andmovable into a stopping position in the path of articles thereon to stopmovement of the articles, means for projecting a beam of light acrossthe path of the articles on the first conveyer, a unit including an armactuable by an article on the second conveyer, and operable meansresponsive to an interruption of the beam when the unit is actuated tocause movement of the element into the stopping position.

4. In a conveyer system comprising a first conveyor, a second conveyerextending in a direction transverse to the first conveyer, the conveyersbeing adapted to transport articles in given paths one converging withthe other, an element supported adjacent'one ofthe conveyersand'mowable? into a stopping position in the path of ar-- ticles thereon tostopmovement' of the articles;

means for-projecting a beam of light acrossthe path of the articles onthe first conveyer, a unit" including an arm actuable by an articleonithe second conveyer, operable means responsive=tofan interruption ofthe-beam when the unit is actu ated to cause actuation of theelement,andmeans'. actuable by articles on the second conveyer'to render thelast named means inoperative;

5; In a conveyer system comprising a first conveyer, a second conveyerextending in a direc tionstransverse to the first conveyer,vthereonveyers being adapted'to transport articles ingiverrpaths oneconverging with the other, an element supported adjacent one of theconveyers and. actuable to stop movement of articles thereon, means-forprojecting a beam of light across the pathof-the articles on the firstconveyer; a'unit' actuable by-an article on the second conveyer;operable means responsive to an interruption of. the beam when the unitis actuated to causeactuationof the element, and means interposedtbetween the unit and the juncture of the pathsto render thelast namedmeans inoperative when actuated'by an article on the second conveyer.

6; In a conveyer system comprising a first conveyer, a second'conveyerextending in a direction transverse to the first conveyer, the conveyersbeing adapted to transport articles-in givenpaths: one converging withthe other, an element'sup ported adjacent one of the conveyers andmovable into a stopping position in the path of articles thereon to stopmovement of the articles; means: for projecting a beam-of light acrossthe said paths adjacent their juncture, a unit including an arm actuableby an article on the-second con-s veyer, and means responsive to aninterruptionof the beam'by an'article on the first conveyer when theunit is actuated to cause movement of the element into the stoppingposition.

7. In a conveyer system comprising'a; first com veyer, a second conveyerextending in a direction transverse to the first conveyer, the conveyersbeing adapted to'transport articles in'giverrpaths one converging withthe other; an element'supe ported adjacent one of the conveyers andmovable into a stopping position in the pathoi articles thereon to stopmovement of the articles, meansfor: projecting a beam of light acrossthe said pathsadjacent their juncture, aunit including'an' armactuableby an article on the said conveyor,

and means responsive to an interruption of the beam by an article on thefirst conveyer when-the unit is actuated to cause movement of theelement into the stopping position and maintain the element in the saidposition during the travel of the article interrupting the beam from thefirst conment and including pivotally connected members with their pivotdisposed in a common plane with the shaft 'when the element is in thestopping position.

9. In a conveyer system, conveyers to transport articles in given pathsone converging with.

another adjacent the juncture of the conveyers, an element mounted formovement into and out of a stopping position in the path of an articleon one of the conveyers, power means including a driven shaft, and amechanism operatively connecting the power means with the element tocause the said movement of the element and including relatively pivotalmembers having their pivots disposed in a common plane with the shaftwhen the element is in the stopping position to lock the element againstmovement by the articles.

10. In a conveyer system, a conveyer for the travelling of articlesthereon, an element mounted for movement into and out of an operativeposition over the conveyer to discontinue the travel of certain of thearticles on the conveyer, a power means including a, driven haft, anda-mechanism operatively connecting the element with the shaft of thepower means to cause the said movement of the element and includingmembers disposed in relative dead center positions with respect to theshaft to lock the element in the operative position.

11. In a conveyer system, a conveyer for the travelling of articlesthereon, an element mounted for movement into and out of an operativeposition over the conveyer to discontinue the travel of certain of thearticles on the conveyer, a power means including a driven shaft, amechanism operatively connecting the element with the shaft of the powermeans to cause the said movement of the element and including an arm andmembers disposed in relative dead center positions for movement into andout of an operative position over the conveyer to discontinue the travelof certain of the articles on the conveyer, a power means including adriven shaft, a mechanism operatively connecting the element with theshaft of the power means to cause the said movement of the element andincluding an arm and members disposed in relative dead center positionswith respect to the shaft to lock the element in the operative position,stops positioned to be engaged by the arm to terminate movement of theelement at the said positions, and resilient means connected, to the armto retard the movement of the arm into engagement with the stops.

DONALD H. MITCHELL.

